Privateers Pound Arkansas-Pine Bluff to Open Weekend

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NEW ORLEANS, La. – The New Orleans Privateers baseball team (9-16, 2-7 Southland) attacked early in the count to set the tone in an 11-1 victory over the Arkansas-Pine Bluff Golden Lions (10-11, 6-3 SWAC) on Friday night at Maestri Field at First NBC Ballpark.
 
The Privateers were aggressive early in setting the tone, scoring two runs in the second inning and three in the third after Golden Lions starter, Billy Olson had a 1-2-3 inning to start the game. Three of the Privateers' first four hits in the game came on the first or second pitch of the count.
 
In the third, Ryan Calloway led off with a solo home run, his first of the season and one of five extra base hits. "Our approach tonight is what we've been preaching all year. We hit the ball the other way and made the plays and Alex had a good game. It was a good win," said Coach Ron Maestri.
 
Olson's final frame on the hill saw him give up four runs. Back-to-back singles started the sixth and set up Preston Marsh who doubled over centerfielder Rashawn Tillman's head. Parker Jones followed with one of his three hits on the night and drove in another run on a single.
 
Jay Robinson also collected his second double of the night while scoring the fourth and final run of the frame. "That's a pretty good pitcher we faced tonight. Offensively that's good, but we've got to come out and do that again tomorrow," said Maestri.
 
Privateers starter, Alex Smith was in command throughout the night. Smith did not allow a walk nor a hit batter through seven innings of work. The only run he gave up was on a two-out RBI single by Tillman in the third. Smith struck out four batters and threw 89 pitches in his longest outing of the season.
 
Jones had a 3-for-4 night as the Privateers knocked around Golden Lions pitchers for 16 knocks. Hezekiah Randolph went 2-for-2 with two runs and was also hit by a pitch twice. Sam Carriere went 2-for-3 with two runs and came up with some great defensive plays at short.
 
For the Golden Lions, Tillman went 3-for-3 and drove in the only run of the night. Chris Beer was 2-for-2 with a pair of singles. Colin Drury had the only Arkansas-Pine Bluff extra base hit on the night and scored the lone run for the visitors.
 
The series continues tomorrow with a first pitch at 2 p.m.
 
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